The Wilmingtonian., 1887-02-12
sATnxDAY, FEBRUARY IL, 1887.

Dean position B;nce last week with the e6oep-
lion perhaps that the movement of re-orgar-
xiug and mobilizing their armies has spread
into almost every continental nation. 10
Belgium the government has introduced bill
into the chamber of deputies for extra bud
get appropriations amounting to 10000, 900
francs, of which 10, 900, 900 francs are asked
for pressing military measures. The Pre-
mier, in announcing the credits asked by the
Government, said that the arnamonts of
of other countries rendered it incumbent
upon the War Department to provide the
Belgian infantry with arms of the newest |
pattern and to strengthen the forts at Liege |
and Namur. He said the military credit |
asked was only one-third Of the total amount
that would be required, and added that the
Treasury was In condition to meet the desir-
ed appropriation.
The French Chamber of Deputies has pass
ed without debate or scrutiny the extra
uuaktbb hbhou bup Wdi auh haNai doPhih-
ments. They amount to 86, 900 francs
for the army and 80, O,o00,0 600 francs for the
navy. In her preparations for war Germany
will probably obtain all the money she needs,
the only hesitation on the part of the mem
bers of the Reichstag is in regard to term of
service. There is no intention of obstruct-
ing the war preparations of Bismarck and
Moltke upon the questions of supply. The
opposition to tho septeBnate bill does not me-
cessrrily infer lack of German solidarity
when the danger of French invasion is put
forward.
In view Of the ossibility Of great
continental war it is advantageous to
have to hand the most reliable data as to the
comparative strength of the armies of Ger
many, France, Austria, Hungary, Italy and
England. In regard to the question of the
numerical forces Of the different European
countries the Encyclopedia Brittaniea says:
'It is impossible to form anything but an
approximate comparison, owing to the differ
ant conditions of service and varying organ
ization Of the several armies. Under the
term "depot" troops are included all forces
whose proviuce it is to feed the active army
Under %garrisons and reserves" are included
all forces organized for home defense, and
not forming part Of the field armies; but in
eases large proportion of these are available
rs roinforcements to the active army II re-
quired. Only those forces that have received
some training and have a permanent organi.
xstion are counted thus the English Volun.
tesrs are included, but not the German land
sturm or the French reserves of the territor
ial army. The British troops serving in In.
dia have been included in the military
forces Of Great Britain, and the expense,
borne on their account by the Indian reve
nue. in the military expenditur,; but not th'
native forces of India.
England, peace-footine 10000 !
War footing ;-active army 225,oo0; depo
troops 95, 900, garrsons and reserves $50, ooo
Total $40, 900.
France-Peace army footing, 100000
War footing, active army-780, 900 depc
troops, 270, 900, garrisons and reserves, 500
900. Total 1,550,0O0.
German army, peace footing 400, 900; Wa
footing, active army $50, 600; depot troop
100000; garrisons and reserves. $50 OOj
Total 100000.
Austria -HungarY-Peace footing, 275, ,oO'
War footing, active army, 276, 900; WI
footing, active army, 800, 900 depot troop
10000; gsrrisons and reserves, 2aO, ,00
Total $50, 600. -..-=-
Italy-Army, peace footing, 200, 900; wi
footing, active army, 375, GOO; depot troop
$1,000 garrisons and reserves $50, 900. tt
tai Of 10000
The annual military expenditure Of th
above is as follows: England, s115, 900 90
France, 800, 900 600; Germany, s77, 500, 0o(
Russia, $lO5, OOO, 900; Austria Hungary, s52
100000, and Italy, sS7,5OooO
The above affords interesting compsrisc
in figures, as for instance Italy, with VI
footing Of 100 00O men more thaa Englar
eIpends upon her army less than one-thil
the sum.
In regard to the naves Of Europe, tskir
the same authority, and citing only tho
vessels which may be regarded as ightir
vessels the comparison is as follows. En-
land, 100 ships, 800 guns and 90, 900 men.
France, 100 ships, 500 guns, and 1870
men. Spain, so ships, 800 guns, and s,5
men. Russia, go ships, 96O guns, and s, 8
men. Germany, 30 ships, $50 guns, a
$500 men. Holland, 40 ships, $50 guns, al
4,sOO men. Turkey, 80 ships. 220 guns, al
1900 men, Italy, "a ships, 100 guns, al
1900 men, Portugal 20 ships, 100 guns, 81
$500 men.
Contrasting the armies of France, Ge
many aud Prussia it must be remembers
that the item Of vulnerable territorial bou
Diary has to be taken into account. For th
reason alone France is stronger than Gt
many. The latter country has to man h
forts not alone in Alsace and Lorraine al
along the Rhine line but has to make equ
fu await r,,iIitarv diIuoa{tinpa bar Ruaai